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AIR TRAVEL AND HEALTHY HAIR 

by Tony Pearce RN.
Specialist Trichologist, National Trichology Services

The anticipation of overseas travel is a happy prospect for most people, and the miniscule risks associated with flying are soon forgotten in the excitement.

The cells of the hair bulb are the third most rapidly dividing cells of the body after bone marrow and the mucosal lining of the stomach. Because of this, hair growth is very sensitive to physiological or external changes that may affect us.

The “jet lag” from a non-stop flight from Australia to the United States or United Kingdom may in susceptible people be enough physiological stress on the body to induce a short bout of excessive hair fall. Hair loss from this circumstance is temporary and self-correcting. What often gets people in a panic however is the hair fall suddenly begins 2-3 months after the flight was undertaken and they don’t associate their present problem with an event some months before. Ten to fifty percent of the hair can be synchronized into a premature falling phase and begins shedding from all over the scalp. This often continues for about 2-3 months before settling. In a temporary, self-correcting hair loss the hair is usually being replaced even as it sheds. Apart from reassurance no treatment is indicated for this condition.

More commonly the affected person may have an existing nutritional deficiency - particularly low iron in women, or a metabolic condition such as diabetes or problems of the thyroid gland. They may be in poor health, or severely stressed for whatever reason. Normal hair growth may only just be “coping” and the added stress to the body “tips the scales” into a hair loss state. In this situation the underlying factor/s would need to be stabilised before the hair loss settles.

I have been consulted by numbers of commercial flight crew for hair loss and scalp concerns, some of which was occupation-related and some not. Contrary to what might be the widely held view of people who live out of travel luggage, the majority of airline flight personell are much disciplined in their dietary and fitness routines!

However they often experience situations peculiar to their occupation that may give rise to recurring episodes of excessive hair loss. Departing from an area of high ambient temperature and humidity, and arriving at one’s destination to temperatures of 20 degrees below freezing may generate a physiological “shock” to the body’s internal balance.
Continual dietary changes from “stop overs” in different continents or countries may also create an internal disturbance. Severe vomiting/diarrhea and its accompanying dehydration from contaminated water or food will nearly always trigger a delayed bout of excessive hair fall.

Dramatic changes in diet, “crash” dieting or rapid weight loss are common causes of hair loss of a temporary, self-correcting type. Finally, whilst it is known there is an increased exposure to ultraviolet radiation from high altitude flying, its adverse effects on normal hair growth remain inconclusive.

Female flight attendants are at particular risk of developing a form of hair loss termed ‘traction alopecia’. Traction alopecia gradually occurs along the front hairline margins of the scalp, and distressingly presents as a “receding” hairline. The problem is caused by the hair being pulled back tightly off the face and held under tension for extended periods of time. If the woman ties her hair back whilst it’s wet and/or has an underlying low iron state, these will combine to exacerbate the hair loss considerably.

It’s not all bad news though! Some simple steps taken during and after your international flight can help your hair remain healthy and on your head!

During the flight consume small servings of food, preferably protein, salads/vegetables, and carbohydrates such as pasta. Avoid sugary, refined or salty foods as the sugar will “spike” your blood sugar levels and the salt will make you thirstier and retain fluid.

Drink 2-3 litres of bottled water on a 15-hour flight, including some fruit juices (not cordial). During long flights your skin can become quite dehydrated from the ultra-dry recycled air within the aircraft. Liberally applying a facial/body moisturiser prior and during your flight is also a good idea.
Minimise your alcohol, coffee, and to a lesser extent, tea intake as they are all diuretics and will dehydrate you. Rest quietly as you feel the need.

Upon arrival at your destination, maintain the same dietary regimen as you did in-flight for the first 24 hours. Where possible use your first day to relax and help reset your body’s circadian rhythms. Three to six hours of judicious exposure to strong sunlight or artificial light as bright as sunlight has been shown to speed recovery from jet lag. Sunlight stimulates the pineal gland in the brain to inhibit the secretion of the hormone melatonin, thus regulating our ‘biological clock’ for falling asleep and awakening.

If a woman knows her ferritin (iron storage) levels to be less than 40ug/L, an iron supplement taken daily for a week prior to her flight and a week after arriving at her destination will greatly reduce the risk of excessive hair fall later on. She should certainly take an iron supplement if she is menstruating whilst undertaking international air travel.

“Economy Class” Syndrome: The so-called economy class syndrome has achieved much media notoriety in recent years, but what does the term really mean?

The condition is actually a deep-venous thrombosis (DVT); a blood clot that usually originates in the deep veins of the lower limbs. Whilst a DVT may occur in any person, more commonly it affects those who have an inherited or lifestyle predisposition to develop them.

The restricted movement of being seated for extended periods of time causes blood pooling in the veins of the lower legs. Those at increased risk of developing DVT are sedentary, overweight people, smokers, and women who smoke and take pregnancy contraceptives. Those who consume high-sodium (salt) diets or regularly consume excessive amounts of alcohol are also at greater risk of DVT.

The two serious complications of DVT are:

• Pulmonary embolism occurs when the clot dislodges and finds its way into the pulmonary (lung) arterial blood flow.

• Post-phlebitic syndrome that presents as swollen, hot, painful area on the limb due to destruction of the ‘back-flow’ valves within the vein.

The risk of developing a DVT after air travel is very low when one considers the vast numbers of people who undertake air travel every day of the year throught the world.

People who have a history of developing blood clots or those who feel they may be at increased risk can consider the following pre-flight measures to minimise the possibility:

• Engage in some moderate exercise such as brisk walking 2-3 times per week for a week or two before your international flight.

• Stop or reduce tobacco smoking for at least 2 weeks before departure.

• Take half an asprin daily for 2 weeks prior to departure.

• For the duration of your flight wear correctly fitted anti-embolic (TED) stockings to reduce blood pooling and assist vein bloodflow.

• Avoid or minimise in-flight alcohol consumption.

• Drink 2-3 litres of water during a 10-15 hour flight.

• Whilst seated gently exercise your lower legs as instructed by your flight attendants. When authorised to do so, move about the cabin once per hour.

Enjoy your flight!

About the Author: Tony Pearce is a Specialist Trichologist & Registered Nurse. He is a founding member of the Society for Progressive Trichology & the official lecturer for Analytical Reference Laboratory (ARL) for hair loss & hormone imbalance. He is the Clinical Director for Trichology of Virginia/DC in the United States. In Australia he can be contacted on 02 9542 2700, or through his website at www.hairlossclinic.com.au.

Copyright Anthony Pearce 2005. *References for this article available on request